Skylight Installation in Thunder Bay
Skylight installation, replacement, and leak repair for Thunder Bay homes, flashed and sealed to handle snow load, ice, and freeze-thaw.
Bring Daylight Into the Long Northern Winter
Thunder Bay has months of short, dark days, and a well-placed skylight makes a real difference, pulling natural light into kitchens, bathrooms, stairwells, and rooms that would otherwise stay dim. The hesitation people have is leaks, and it is a fair concern in a climate with this much snow and ice. The answer is not to avoid skylights, it is to install them correctly. A skylight that is properly flashed and sealed, on a roof with good ventilation, handles our winter without trouble.
Sleeping Giant Roofing installs, replaces, and repairs skylights across Thunder Bay and the surrounding area. Call (807) 501-9192 to talk it through.
Why Skylights Leak, and How We Prevent It
Almost every leaking skylight we are called to has the same root cause, and it is rarely the skylight itself. The usual culprits are:
- Poor flashing. The flashing that ties the skylight into the roof was done badly or with the wrong method. This is the most common cause.
- A failed seal on an old unit. Aging skylights lose their seals and the glazing fogs or leaks.
- Ice damming around the skylight. Meltwater backing up against the unit from an ice dam, a roof-and-attic problem, not a skylight one.
We address all three. New installs get proper step flashing and ice-and-water membrane around the opening, aging units get replaced rather than endlessly caulked, and we look at the surrounding roof and attic ventilation so ice does not build up against the skylight. That is the difference between a skylight that leaks and one that does not.
Installation, Replacement, and Repair
New Installation
We help you choose placement and a unit that suits the room and our climate, modern skylights are well insulated with double or triple glazing, then install it with the flashing and membrane detailing a Northern roof needs.
Replacement
When an older skylight starts leaking or fogging, replacing it with a modern, better-insulated unit and fresh flashing solves the problem properly. Patching an old failing skylight rarely holds.
Leak Repair
If your skylight is leaking, we assess whether it needs resealing, re-flashing, or full replacement, and fix the actual cause rather than applying another bead of caulk. This falls under our broader roof repair work.
Best Done With a Roof Replacement
The ideal time to add or replace a skylight is during a roof replacement. With the deck open, we integrate the skylight and its flashing into the new roof from the start, with ice-and-water membrane around the opening, which is far more leak-resistant than cutting into an existing roof. If a re-roof is on your horizon and you have wanted more light, it is worth doing them together.
Get a Free Skylight Estimate
We will assess your roof, recommend the right approach, and give you a clear written estimate. Call (807) 501-9192 or request a free estimate online. We serve all of Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario.
How It Works
Free Consultation & Inspection
Give us a call or fill out our online form. We will come to your property, inspect your roof thoroughly, and discuss your options, all at no cost and no obligation.
Detailed Written Estimate
You will receive a clear, itemized quote that covers materials, labour, timeline, and warranty details. No hidden fees, no surprises, just honest pricing.
Expert Installation
Our experienced crew handles your project from start to finish with quality materials and clean, professional workmanship. We keep you updated every step of the way.
Final Walkthrough & Warranty
Once the job is done, we walk through everything with you to make sure you are completely satisfied. You get a written warranty so your investment is protected for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do skylights leak in Thunder Bay winters?
A properly installed skylight with correct flashing should not leak, even here. The leaks people associate with skylights almost always come from poor flashing, a failed seal on an aging unit, or ice damming around the skylight, not the skylight itself. We install with proper step flashing and ice-and-water membrane around the opening, and we address the surrounding roof and ventilation so ice does not build up against the unit. Done right, a skylight handles our winter.
Are skylights worth it given how long our winters are?
For many homeowners, yes, and the long winter is part of the reason. Thunder Bay has short, dark days for months, and a well-placed skylight brings real daylight into rooms that would otherwise be dim. Modern skylights are well insulated with double or triple glazing, so the energy trade-off is far better than older units. The key is correct placement and a proper, well-sealed install.
Can you replace an old skylight that is leaking or fogging?
Yes. Older skylights eventually fail, the seals go, the glazing fogs between panes, or the flashing gives out, and they start to leak. Replacing an aging unit with a modern, better-insulated skylight and fresh flashing usually solves the problem for good. If your skylight is leaking, do not just keep caulking it; that rarely lasts. We will assess whether it needs resealing, re-flashing, or full replacement.
Should a skylight be installed during a roof replacement?
It is the ideal time. When the roof is being replaced we have the deck open and can integrate the skylight and its flashing into the new roof system properly, with ice-and-water membrane around the opening. Adding or replacing a skylight during a re-roof means the flashing is done as part of a fresh roof rather than cut into an existing one, which is the most leak-resistant approach.
How do you stop ice dams from forming around a skylight?
The same way we stop them anywhere: keep the roof deck cold with good attic ventilation and protect the area with ice-and-water membrane. A skylight is a penetration in the roof, so the detailing around it matters, and we flash and membrane it to handle meltwater. Addressing the overall attic ventilation keeps ice from building against the skylight in the first place.